Málaga’s ‘Noche en Blanco’: event guide

The Málaga’s White Night It is the city’s big cultural night: for five hours, museums, monuments and public spaces are open free of charge, and the city centre is transformed into one continuous stage.

It takes place on a Saturday in May and is organised by the City Council. Here’s how it works, what happened at the last event and when the next one will be.

When is the next Noche en Blanco?

The most recent edition, the 17th, took place on Saturday 16 May 2026. It’s over now.

The next one will be the 18th edition, in May 2027. The exact date is announced by the Town Council, usually shortly after each issue, so it is usually known almost a year in advance. The pattern in recent years has been a Saturday in mid-May.

Where to confirm this: on the event’s official website and in the Culture section of the Town Hall’s website. We will update this page as soon as it is announced.

What is the ‘Noche en Blanco’?

A cultural initiative inspired by the «Nuits Blanches» European, which in Málaga was founded in 2008. The idea is simple: for one night only, the city’s cultural institutions extend their opening hours and organise special activities, almost all of which free.

There is no set route. Visitors walk between museums, churches, courtyards and squares, choosing what to see, and the historic centre functions as a single, open itinerary.

It’s neither a fair nor a street party: The programme centres on exhibitions, concerts, guided tours and participatory activities. It is organised by the Malaga City Council, sponsored by the Unicaja Foundation and Cervezas Victoria.

This is how the 2026 edition went

The 17th edition The event took place on Saturday 16 May 2026, from 8.00 pm to 1.00 am, under the slogan «Málaga: the future is written with music».

The figures: almost 150 free activities scattered throughout 98 spaces in the city. To help the public find their way, leaflets were handed out 36,800 leaflets y 10,000 programmes.

The most remarkable thing about that night:

• «Balconies in song». Opera, zarzuela and pop themes intertwining from balcony to balcony along Calle Larios and the Plaza de la Constitución, in six fifteen-minute sessions.
• The Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra, featuring «A Night of Spanish Inspiration» at the Marina Square.
• The Town Band in Hoyo de Esparteros Square, accompanied by pupils from the «Pepa Flores» Dance Conservatoire.

And the scale reference: The 2025 edition brought together 213,789 participants, of whom more than 74,000 are involved in street activities. That is what this evening means for Málaga.

What can be done, issue after issue

The programme changes every year, but the structure remains the same:

• Museums open and free of charge until the early hours. The following usually take part: Picasso Museum, the Centre Pompidou, the Carmen Thyssen, the Museum of Malaga at Customs, the CAC and the Picasso's Birthplace. You have more options for the rest of the year at Free museums in Málaga.
• Open-air concerts at the Plaza de la Constitución, Alcazabilla Street, Plaza de la Marina and the area around the port.
• Street theatre and contemporary dance, featuring short pieces in open-air venues.
• Evening tours of monuments: the Alcazaba and the Roman Theatre with a special atmosphere.
• Projections on façades iconic ones, such as that of the Cathedral or the local council.
• «La Nochecita en Blanco», a programme specifically for children, featuring workshops and storytelling sessions.

The The full programme is published a few weeks beforehand on the event’s official website and on the Town Council’s website.

The night-time tour of the Alcazaba

It’s the most popular activity of the evening and the one that fills up first. Seeing the Alcazaba lit up, without the queues or the heat, is a different experience to a daytime visit.

If you’re interested, don’t just wing it: Places are limited and tend to sell out as soon as registration opens. Keep an eye on the official website in the weeks leading up to the event.

Six tips that make all the difference

• Choose three things, not fifteen. With nearly 150 activities taking place at the same time, trying to see everything is a sure-fire way of missing out on everything. Set your priorities and leave some room for whatever comes up.
• Turn up early at any venue with a capacity limit. The Alcazaba and the best-known museums attract long queues.
• Leave the car. Much of the city centre is closed to traffic. You’ll need to use public transport, cycle or walk, and the City Council usually runs extra bus services that night.
• Comfortable footwear and water. The night unfolds as you walk, and in May it’s still quite chilly.
• With children, the first few hours. «La Nochecita en Blanco» takes place between 8.00 pm and 10.30 pm. After that, the crowds grow considerably.
• Book a table if you’re coming for dinner. The restaurants in the city centre are absolutely buzzing that night.

Making the most of the weekend

As it’s a Saturday night, the Noche en Blanco fits in perfectly after a full-day excursion. You set off in the morning, come back in the early afternoon, and you’ve got the whole evening to yourself.

We are a local tour operator based in Málaga with over 50 years’ experience organising day trips around Andalusia. These are day trips and you’ll be back in good time:

And if you’d rather stay in town, devote the day to what the night will be filled with: the Atarazanas Market in the morning, the Alcazaba and the Roman Theatre with no crowds, and tapas at Soho or Granada Street. You can find the full itinerary at What to see in Málaga in three days and free options at free things to do in Málaga.

Where to stay that night

Book in advance, because it is one of the busiest weekends of the year in the city. The three practical areas:

• Historic centre, so that you can stay within the grounds and not have to rely on transport.
• Soho, a five-minute walk away and with its own unique atmosphere.
• La Malagueta, if you prefer the seaside and don’t mind a fifteen-minute walk.

If you’re staying further away, Check the return times first: the event finishes at one o’clock in the morning.

Other cultural events in May

• International Museum Day, the 18 May, which usually takes place in the same week and features its own programme of activities.
• The Córdoba Patio Festival, if you fancy combining it with another city.

And as for the rest of the events calendar in Málaga, the traditions and festivals of Málaga.

Frequently asked questions

When is Málaga’s Noche en Blanco 2027?

The 18th edition will take place in May 2027, although the exact date is announced by Málaga City Council, usually shortly after each edition. In recent years, it has usually taken place on a Saturday in mid-May, from 8.00 pm to 1.00 am. The most recent edition, the 17th, took place on Saturday 16 May 2026.

How much does the Noche en Blanco cost?

Nothing. All activities are free of charge, including museums, concerts and visits to monuments. It is organised by Málaga City Council with private sponsorship, and the fact that it is free is precisely the point of the event. You’ll only pay for what you consume in bars and restaurants.

Do you need to book in advance for the Alcazaba?

The night-time tour of the Alcazaba is the most popular evening activity and has limited capacity, so places sell out as soon as booking opens. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the official website in the weeks leading up to the event. For all other venues, entry is generally on a first-come, first-served basis whilst places are still available.

Is it a good idea to take children along?

Yes, and there’s also a special programme called «La Nochecita en Blanco», featuring workshops and storytelling sessions. It’s best to make the most of the early hours, between 8.00 pm and 10.30 pm, because after that the crowds really build up and the city centre gets very busy. With young children, it’s best to keep the walk short.

What happens if it rains?

Most of the programme takes place indoors — in museums, halls and historic buildings — so the event is going ahead as planned. It is the outdoor activities, such as concerts in squares and urban installations, that may be affected or relocated. In previous years, the event has gone ahead in the rain without any major problems.

How many people go to the Noche en Blanco?

The 2025 edition attracted 213,789 participants, of whom more than 74,000 took part in street activities, which gives an idea of the scale of the event. The 2026 event offered nearly 150 free activities spread across 98 venues throughout the city. It is one of the busiest nights of the year in the centre of Málaga.